Why We Play With Our Kids

I'm sitting at the table eating cake with some family members on Christmas and we were talking about our families. I sat open-mouthed as a cousin I hardly see tells me how bad her daughter is. This three year old has cut her hair to the scalp three times and has put rubber cement in her hair. The story was meant for me to laugh at. Instead I felt sorry for the child. Obviously acting out for much needed attention, it occurred to me that she had no idea how to relate to her daughter and has not realized what a mother is. Or how to hide the scissors.

Almost anyone can feed and clothe a child. That is not what a mother does. A mother feeds the soul and nurtures the spirit. My favorite quote explains the bigger picture: Children are the messages we send to a time we will not see. It is up to you what cycle your children will generate. Will they become someone that you would respect? Ask yourself, would you want you as a parent? Of course there will be days when you have burn-out. Of course there will be days when you need to get away and be by yourself. Of course most of us have budgets that we have to stick to.

Playing with your child is free. No matter what your income level, you can afford to play with your kids. No book is needed and certainly no expensive toys. For example, my kids have a tent that their grandparents bought them. Sure it is fun for them, but the tent they love the best is a sheet hung over the dinner table. Even a sheet hung over two chairs makes shrieks come out of my kids. Sing songs, play chase, Follow the Leader, or Mother may I. Take a trip to the library and read some books. Another favorite free activity is going to the park. Try to play with your kids instead of sitting on the bench. The park is a whole different experience going down the slide! My daughter likes to hear stories about me as a child. Talk to your kids about how you handled different situations when you were their age. Go on a walk in your neighborhood. Give them an understanding of their community and their part in it. Pick up trash on your street. Plant some flowers. Visit a retirement home and visit with the people that live there.

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